Russian Borscht

Virtually the national dish of the Ukraine, borscht is traditionally made with a flavorful secondary cut of beef and either pork shoulder or a meaty smoked bacon or both. Some Russian cooks add a teaspoon or so of sugar to counteract the acidity of the beets and tomatoes, but personally, I like the tartness. If you prefer to serve the soup chilled instead of hot, be sure to skim any fat that forms on the surface. Although it’s customary to garnish a bowl of borscht with a dollop of sour cream, I like mine plain. What is obligatory with the soup is thin slices of buttered dark pumpernickel bread.–James Villas

Directions

1. In a large pot, combine the beef, bacon, water, garlic, salt, pepper, bay leaf, and onion and bring to a boil. Skim any froth from the top. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer till the beef is tender, about 2 hours.

2. Add the celery and carrot and simmer about 20 minutes more. Add the beets, tomatoes, and cabbage and simmer 20 minutes more. Add the potato, vinegar, and dill and simmer about 15 minutes more. Skim any fat from the surface of the soup.

3. Serve the soup hot or chilled in deep soup bowls, with or without a dollop of sour cream on top.

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